Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Urban Design
11
Chapter
Guidelines
PLANNING DEPARTMENT
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
CHAPTER 11 URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES
CONTENTS
1. Introduction 1
Urban Design
2. Background 1
8. Implementation 30
Air Ventilation
9. Background 30
13. Conclusion 44
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Figures
Figure 1 Urban Fringe Context: A Careful Transition with Links between the Urban 5
and Rural
Figure 2 Building Free Zone to Preserve Views to Ridgelines 6
Figure 3 Vantage Points 7
Figure 4 Diversity in Building Height / Massing of Developments in Different 8
Localities
Figure 5 Development Responsive to Unique Topographical and Landscape Setting 9
of New Town
Figure 6 Landmarks at Civic / Commercial Centres 9
Figure 7 Visual and Spatial Relief in Urban Core 9
Figure 8 Hong Kong’s Viewsheds 10
Figure 9 Incompatible Building Height / Massing in Rural Area 10
Figure 10 Active and Diverse Waterfront Activities 12
Figure 11 Incompatible Waterfront Land Uses 13
Figure 12 Avoid Major Infrastructure Project at Waterfront 13
Figure 13 Well-designed Low-rise Waterfront Development 14
Figure 14 View Corridors between Waterfront and Inland 14
Figure 15 Avoid “Wall” Effect and Create Diverse Height Profile 15
Figure 16 Maximise Accessibility to Waterfront 15
Figure 17 Dwarfed by Tower Podium Reinforces Human Scale 17
Figure 18 Focal Landmark Feature in Open Space 17
Figure 19 Open Space Provision at Podium Level 18
Figure 20 Create Visual Linkage to Direct Pedestrian to Open Space 18
Figure 21 Safe, Clean and Accessible Pedestrian Environment 19
Figure 22 Ease of Access for Persons with Disabilities 20
Figure 23 Internal Pedestrian Route Follow “Desire Lines” 20
Figure 24 Streetscape Robustness : Many Activities and Uses Co-existing and 21
Changing
Figure 25 Roadside Planting 22
Figure 26 High Quality Street Furniture 23
Figure 27 Avoid the Road Signage Clutter 24
Figure 28 Visual Mitigation Measures to Flyover 24
Figure 29 Linkages between Retail Malls Better than Isolated Footbridges 25
Figure 30 Transport Mall Concept 26
Figure 31 Provide Suitable Settings for Heritage Feature 27
Figure 32 Preserve or Open Up Views to Heritage Feature 27
Figure 33 Reflecting Proportions on Old and New Buildings 28
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Figure 34 Minimise Negative Visual Impact of Stilted Structures 29
Figure 35 Major Breezeways 33
Figure 36 Linkage of Roads, Open Spaces and Low-rise Buildings to Form 33
Breezeways
Figure 37 Air Paths 34
Figure 38 Disposition of Non-Building Areas to Provide Air Path 34
Figure 39 Orientation of Street Grids 34
Figure 40 Pattern of Street Grids 35
Figure 41 Street Widening/Building Setback 35
Figure 42 Waterfront buildings should avoid Wind Blockage 36
Figure 43 Varying Height Profile to Promote Air Movements 37
Figure 44 Breathing Spaces in the High-density/High-rise Neighbourhood 37
Figure 45 Maximise Planting in Open Space 38
Figure 46 Tall Trees with Wide and Dense Canopy in Pedestrian Area 38
Figure 47 Reducing Site Coverage of the Podia to Allow More Open Space at Grade 39
Figure 48 Terraced Podium Design 40
Figure 49 Gaps between Building Blocks to Enhance Air Permeability 40
Figure 50 Towers placed to Enable Downwash Wind to Reach Street Level 41
Figure 51 Gaps between the Podium and Building Blocks to Enhance Air 41
Permeability
Figure 52 Stepping Height Profile to Divert Winds to Lower Levels 42
Figure 53 Tall Tree with Wide and Dense Canopy in Plaza 42
Figure 54 Projecting Signboards should be Vertical Type instead of Horizontal Type 43
Tables
Table 1 Design Guidelines for Commercial Zone 45
Table 2 Design Guidelines for Residential Zone and Village 47
Table 3 Design Guidelines for Industrial Zone 51
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URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES
1. Introduction
URBAN DESIGN
2. Background
2.1 Urban design in short is an art of designing places for people and is
one of the important elements in urban planning, especially for a
compact and dynamic city like Hong Kong. It concerns about the
total visual effect of building masses, connections with people and
places, creation of spaces for movements, urban amenities and public
realm, and the process for improving the overall townscape. Urban
design sets the framework for the physical and spatial arrangement and
composition of built-forms and their three-dimensional relationship
with the spaces around them and the surrounding settings for
achievement of aesthetic and socio-cultural qualities.
1
3. Physical Design Context
3.1 Hong Kong comprises very mountainous terrain, many coastlines and
a good natural harbour. This physical context has some significant
implications on the urban form:
(a) it has given rise to the elevation of our city around both sides of
Victoria Harbour against a dramatic mountain backdrop;
4.1 Urban design should focus on the basics of urban design which
recognise the positive attributes of Hong Kong. The direction and
concepts would be to preserve and enhance the positive attributes
while improving aspects of the built environment that are less than
satisfactory.
2
Micro Level: User Environment
• Human scale • Transition
• Harmony • Streetscape
• Street furnishing • Advertisements and signage
• Materials, colour, and textures
5.1 Hong Kong has its own development needs and it is essential that any
urban design concept has to be specifically tailored for Hong Kong.
The urban design guidelines should hence not be over-restrictive and
prescriptive but encourage innovative design. Urban design should
be actively pursued where opportunity is available in order to achieve
the following objectives:
3
Macro Level
Natural
• Key attributes / components of the natural setting
• Direct and indirect impacts on physical and visual quality
of natural landscape, cultural or socio-economic assets
• Compatibility with natural and landscaping setting
Man-made
• Urban context
• Contribution to the cityscape in terms of adding legibility
and creating high-quality city environment
• Visual impact and suitability of landmark feature
• Suitability and visibility of visual features
• Compatibility with landscape and development pattern
• Compatibility with overall height profile and massing
• Contribution to the local character
• Compatibility with heritage setting
Intermediate Level
Natural
• Direct and indirect impacts on physical and visual
qualities of natural landscape
Man-made
• Location suitability
• Relationship with the visual corridors
• Impact on penetration of light and air
• Compatibility with street pattern
• Visual impact and suitability of landmark feature
• Compatibility with overall height profile and massing
• Compatibility with local heritage
• Impact on the surroundings
Micro Level
Natural
• Functional appropriateness in relation to natural
environment
• Response to natural landscape in local context
Man-made
• Contextual and functional appropriateness at street level
• Contribution to pedestrian-friendly environment
• Human scale and quality enhancement
• Creation of spatial feeling
4
6.2 Guidelines on Specific Major Urban Design Issues
Rural Areas
6.2.3 For rural areas, building height, massing and built form
should be harmonised with the rural setting and existing
developments such as traditional villages. To avoid
stereotype or monotonous development, diversity in
architectural style should be encouraged. Out-of-context
“sore thumb” developments should be avoided.
5
(2) Development Height Profile
6
(a) Guidelines for Hong Kong Island
6.2.6 The Hong Kong Island has a magnificent natural setting with
the spectacular Victoria Peak overlooking Victoria Harbour
and Kowloon Peninsula. Developments in the north shore of
Hong Kong Island should respect the dominance of Victoria
Peak and other ridgelines / peaks when viewing from
Kowloon side, in particular from the West Kowloon Cultural
District; Cultural Complex at Tsim Sha Tsui; and the
waterfront promenade at Kai Tak Development (Figure 3).
Uncontrolled building height for developments within the
view corridors which may breach the building free zone
should be avoided. Other suitable vantage points in a more
local context could also be considered on a case-by-case
basis.
7
be provided in different localities (Figure 4). Low rise and
low density areas should be preserved to enhance diversity in
the urban core.
8
Figure 5 Development Responsive to Unique Topographical
and Landscape Setting of New Town
9
(d) Guidelines for Rural Areas
10
(e) Guidelines for Mega Towers
6.2.15 The southern tip of West Kowloon Reclamation and Tsim Sha
Tsui area will emerge as a new major high-rise node and the
UDG Study has suggested that no additional high-rise nodes
should be designated outside this area.
6.2.16 The Town Planning Board’s vision statement for the Victoria
Harbour is to make Victoria Harbour attractive, vibrant,
accessible and symbolic of Hong Kong, to make it a harbour
for the people and of life. The urban design goals would be
to:
• bring the people to the Harbour and the Harbour to the
people;
• enhance the scenic views of the Harbour and maintain
visual access to the harbour-front;
• enhance the Harbour as a unique attraction for our people
and tourists; and
• create a quality harbour-front through encouraging
innovative building design and a variety of tourist, retail,
leisure and recreational activities, and providing an
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integrated network of open space and pedestrian links.
6.2.17 The Harbour is to be protected and preserved as a special
public asset and a natural heritage of the people of Hong
Kong. Reclamation in the harbour has to be
environmentally acceptable and compatible with the principle
of sustainable development and the principle of presumption
against reclamation in the Harbour.
12
Figure 11 Incompatible Waterfront Land Uses
(c) Design
13
Figure 13 Well-designed Low-rise Waterfront Development
14
6.2.23 Taller buildings should be located inland, with lower
developments on the waterfront, to avoid dominating the
harbour and increase permeability to the waterbody.
Waterfront buildings should be of appropriate scale and
façade treatment to avoid creating an impermeable “wall”
along waterfronts. Where appropriate, a varying building
height profile should be created (Figure 15). In new
developed areas, consideration should be given to designation
of coastal sites for low density and low rise development.
15
6.2.25 Public permeability to the waterfront should increase with the
provision of promenades. Where feasible, pedestrian
promenade should extend continuously along the waterfront
allowing connections with inland at suitable points.
(a) Street
16
Figure 17 Dwarfed by Tower Podium Reinforces Human Scale
17
Figure 19 Open Space Provision at Podium Level
18
(5) Streetscape
19
Figure 22 Ease of Access for Persons with Disabilities
20
6.2.38 Pavement surface should be visually attractive and interesting.
High-quality pavement surfaces such as patterned blocks,
brick paving, or stone finish should be introduced where
feasible.
21
quality of the street environment. Tree planting, shrub beds,
landscaped areas should be incorporated to soften the hard
edges and to reduce heat build-up of street environment
(Figure 25). Tree and shrub species should be carefully
chosen, especially with regard to their scenic effect and
seasonal colour, e.g. colour of flower and foliage, in creating
a particular character for a street. In order to ensure the
provision of shaded pedestrian routes, where necessary,
species may need to be physically robust and resistant to
traffic fumes. For new development areas, such as
reclamation, where provide far more scope for incorporating
landscaping, substantial landscape reserves should be well
integrated with open space areas to form coherent open space
frameworks. Roots of street trees should avoid interfering
underground utilities such as pipes and cables.
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considerations should be made for persons with disabilities in
the design of street furniture, crossings, tactile paving, braille
information boards, etc.
23
Figure 27 Avoid the Road Signage Clutter
6.2.45 Vehicular underpasses, which have less visual impact and can
actually improve the pedestrian’s environment by removing
traffic from ground level, should be encouraged. The portal
and entry area should be properly integrated with the city
form in a convincing way. Colour coding and distinct
signage could be introduced to identify districts.
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separation. Where grade separation is needed, attention
should be given to the following:
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vehicle-free environment, to avoid undesirable impacts
arising from traffic noise and fumes, and to create a focus for
pedestrian movement. Streets that have no overall highways
significance but are of high pedestrian / built form
significance could be considered for pedestrianisation.
Where appropriate, pedestrian priority facilities, such as
pedestrianised streets and underground / semi-submerged
roads, should be provided to encourage segregation of
vehicles and pedestrian. At suitable locations, other traffic
calming measures such as pinch points, speed bumps, raised
crossings and changing the surface of the road to different
colour and materials or removing the kerb could be
introduced to enhance pedestrian-friendly environment.
“Bus-mall”, (Figure 30) “tram-mall”, “Park-n-Walk” or
“Park-n-Ride” schemes could be considered to reduce traffic
in dense urban area.
(6) Heritage
26
(a) Re-use
27
(c) Compatibility
6.2.53 Local districts have their own unique cultural activities, and
physical and historical characters. In redevelopment, these
activities and characters should be retained and enhanced as
much as possible.
28
(7) View Corridors
29
7. Guidelines for Specific Major Land Uses
7.1 Urban design guidelines for specific major land uses such as
commercial, residential and industrial are presented in Tables 1, 2 and
3 respectively.
8. Implementation
8.2 The statutory means include: (1) regulation of building heights, site
coverage, plot ratios, etc through stipulation in Notes of Outline
Zoning Plans prepared under the Town Planning Ordinance; (2)
control building layouts through submission of master layout plans in
areas zoned “Comprehensive Development Area” on Outline Zoning
Plans; (3) control on individual building designs under the Buildings
Ordinance; and (4) control on heritage features under Antiquities and
Monuments Ordinance.
Air Ventilation
9. Background
9.1 Being one of the most densely populated cities in the world, Hong
Kong simultaneously has the subtropical climate with hot and humid
summer. Our city therefore fundamentally needs more winds for
thermal relief and comfort in the built environment. For enhanced
and long-term improvement of the wind environment in our city, it is
important to optimise urban design for more wind penetration,
especially to the public realm.
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building blocks in the city through examination of stipulation of air
ventilation assessment as one of the considerations for all major
development or redevelopment proposals and in future planning.
Accordingly, the “Feasibility Study for Establishment of Air
Ventilation Assessment System” (the AVA Study) was conducted and
completed in 2005. A set of qualitative guidelines and a framework
for carrying out air ventilation assessment have been formulated on the
basis of the AVA Study recommendations. The guidelines
incorporated in the following sections are to strengthen the urban
design guidelines for better air ventilation.
10.3 Whilst air ventilation should be given due regard, it is but one amongst
many considerations, just as other urban design factors, in the planning
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and design process. Consideration of other factors where appropriate
in applying the qualitative guidelines is necessary to strike a balance
among various objectives to meet the needs of the community.
10.4 The qualitative guidelines would not be implemented all at once, nor
uniformly throughout the city. Areas of new development should be
planned to follow the guidelines, whereas old, built-up areas should be
planned to pursue incremental improvements based on the guidelines
particularly when opportunities arise from urban renewal.
11.2.1 Sites should be divided into parcels to avoid long and linear
site geometry which could likely result in single-aspect and
wall development not conducive to wind movements.
32
(2) Breezeways/Air Paths
33
other and extend over a sufficiently long distance for
continuity.
34
11.2.6 The length of street grid perpendicular to the prevailing wind
direction should be as short as possible with a view to
minimizing stagnant zones while maximizing breezeways
across the urban area (Figure 40).
11.2.7 To improve the air ventilation in the urban areas, the widening
of streets along the prevailing wind direction is considered of
high effectiveness. Especially for large sites facing narrow
urban canyon as typically found in old urban district like
Mong Kok, the building setback on each side of the street
should be provided upon redevelopment or urban renewal
(Figure 41).
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parallel to the wind direction and by introducing non-building
areas and setbacks where appropriate.
11.2.9 Waterfront sites are the gateways of sea breezes and land
breezes due to the sea cooling and sun warming effects.
Special considerations should be given to the appropriate
scale, height and disposition of building blocks along the
waterfront to avoid blockage of sea/land breezes and
prevailing winds (Figure 42).
36
Figure 43 Varying Height Profile to Promote Air Movements
37
(6) Greening and Disposition of Open Space and Pedestrian
Area
11.2.15 Green open space and vegetation help moderate the city
climate and ameliorate the effect of air stagnation. Planting
in open space should therefore be maximised in urban area
(Figure 45).
Figure 46 Tall Trees with Wide and Dense Canopy in Pedestrian Area
38
11.2.18 The major pedestrian areas should be segregated from the
exhaust of major roads, public transport interchanges, refuse
collection points, etc.
39
11.3.3 Where appropriate, a terraced podium design should be
adopted to direct downward airflow to the pedestrian level
(Figure 48).
40
11.3.6 To minimise obstruction of airflow, the axis of the building
blocks should be parallel to the prevailing wind. To allow
individual building blocks to capture more wind for better
indoor natural ventilation, the angle between the axis of the
building blocks and the prevailing wind direction should be
within 30 degrees.
11.3.8 Where appropriate, towers should abut the podium edge that
faces the main pedestrian area/street perpendicular to the
wind direction so as to enable most of the downwash wind to
reach the street level (Figure 50).
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(4) Building Height and Form
11.3.10 Stepping building height concept can help optimise the wind
capturing potential of development itself (Figure 52).
11.3.11 Built forms that would generate a small eddy area to allow a
maximum of cooling air to flow around and through building
structures should be considered.
(5) Landscaping
42
(6) Projecting Obstructions
12.1 To aid planning and design for better air ventilation through the city
fabric, an advisory framework for the methodology to undertake air
ventilation assessment has been recommended in the AVA Study and
outlined in a Technical Guide for Air Ventilation Assessment for
Developments in Hong Kong. This Technical Guide is downloadable
from Planning Department’s homepage http://www.pland.gov.hk.
Air ventilation assessment could help comparison of air ventilation
impacts of design options and to identify potential problem areas for
design improvement. Wind tunnel is recommended as the tool for
carrying out air ventilation assessment. For details of the
methodology, reference could be made to the Technical Guide.
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13 Conclusion
13.1 The urban design guidelines established in this chapter promote urban
design and air ventilation in the planning and design process among
other considerations. To improve the quality of our life, the
community should be encouraged to appreciate the benefits of urban
design as well as the broader environmental, economic and social
implications so as to lend their support. In effect, the success in
making Hong Kong an international city of world prominence not only
requires Government's initiatives in public projects, but also relies on
support from the industry stakeholders and community throughout the
development process.
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Table 1 Design Guidelines for Commercial Zone
Retail Podium:
• The linkages should follow “desire lines”
45
Issue Objective Design Guidelines
Underground Shopping Mall Link:
• Create interesting and safe pedestrian linkages
underneath the shopping mall
46
Table 2 Design Guidelines for Residential Zone and Village
Built Form and Create interesting • Adopt innovative built form to establish an
Mass built form and unique identity and character for a development
mass • Create diversity and variety in building mass to
enhance visual interest
47
Issue Objective Guidelines
for safe environment
• Provide landscaped pavements
• Provide suitable street furniture
• Incorporate provisions for disabled persons
circulation
• Promote pedestrian linkages to urban fringe /
rural areas
Open Space / Provide open • Meet the necessary open space and G/IC
G/IC facilities space and G/IC facilities requirements
facilities which are • Maximise accessibility and usability of open
usable, accessible space
and valuable to • Fully utilise podium for open space uses
residents • Encourage linkages to urban fringe and rural
areas
48
Issue Objective Guidelines
• Provide public access to waterfront
• Respect sensitive waterfront amenity
49
Issue Objective Guidelines
Village
Note: As villages vary with location, context, age, history, etc., each design solution
should look at the specific context and individual problems.
50
Table 3 Design Guidelines for Industrial Zone
Open Space Maximise available • Provide accessible and attractive open space
and usable open • Provided linkages between open space
space for workforce • Incorporate open space with pedestrian
network
51